Abstract: Articles coated with a water-resistant coating that absorbs water to provide the water-resistant effect, and desorbs water when the coating is dried, and a method of providing water resistance and corrosion resistance to articles prepared with such coatings. The coating is formed by applying a composition comprising an aqueous solution of a superabsorbent water-soluble polymer precursor, optionally a viscosity modifying agent, and optionally a lubricant onto the surfaces of the article, and curing to form a coating comprising the superabsorbent polymer.

Abstract: Articles coated with a water-resistant coating that absorbs water to provide the water-resistant effect, and desorbs water when the coating is dried, and a method of providing water resistance and corrosion resistance to articles prepared with such coatings. The coating is formed by applying a composition comprising an aqueous solution of a superabsorbent water-soluble polymer precursor, optionally a viscosity modifying agent, and optionally a lubricant onto the surfaces of the article, and curing to form a coating comprising the superabsorbent polymer.

Abstract: Articles coated with a water-resistant coating that absorbs water to provide the water-resistant effect, and desorbs water when the coating is dried, and a method of providing water resistance and corrosion resistance to articles prepared with such coatings. The coating is formed by applying a composition comprising an aqueous solution of a superabsorbent water-soluble polymer precursor, optionally a viscosity modifying agent, and optionally a lubricant onto the surfaces of the article, and curing to form a coating comprising the superabsorbent polymer.

Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder comprises a fibrous substrate with chemical treatment, applied thereto, comprising a polyester resin, a curing agent, a film former, and a thickener. Additionally, the string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous pre-form material to make a product suitable for use in various molding applications.

Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder comprises a fibrous substrate with a chemical treatment, applied thereto, comprising an epoxy film former, a curing agent, a thickener, and water. Additionally, the string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous pre-form material to make a product suitable for use in various molding applications.

Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder comprises a fibrous substrate with a chemical treatment, applied thereto, comprising an epoxy film former, a curing agent, a thickener, and water. Additionally, the string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous pre-form material to make a product suitable for use in various molding applications.

Abstract: Articles coated with a water-resistant coating that absorbs water to provide the water-resistant effect, and desorbs water when the coating is dried, and a method of providing water resistance and corrosion resistance to articles prepared with such coatings. The coating is formed by applying a composition comprising an aqueous solution of a superabsorbent water-soluble polymer precursor, optionally a viscosity modifying agent, and optionally a lubricant onto the surfaces of the article, and curing to form a coating comprising the superabsorbent polymer.

Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder comprises a fibrous substrate with a chemical treatment, applied thereto, comprising an epoxy, a polyurethane, at least one curing agent, a thickener, and a filler. Additionally, the string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous pre-form material to make a product suitable for use in various molding application. The filler, preferably a calcium carbonate filler, of the present invention improves surface characteristics of the finished reinforcing articles by minimizing or eliminating surface fiber prominence and blistering. The string binder made with fillers additionally reduces manufacturing costs and raw material costs as compared with string binders made without such fillers.

Abstract: A coating composition for forming a water-resistant coating on fiber-reinforced articles such as rods or cables. The composition comprises an aqueous solution of a superabsorbent water-soluble polymer, a viscosity modifying agent, and optionally a lubricant. The coating formed by applying the composition effectively prevents the treated surface from water-permeation damage by absorbing water that contacts the layer containing the superabsorbent component.

Abstract: A nonaqueous sizing composition useful for coating glass or carbon fibers. The composition comprises one or more epoxy resins, one or more polymers, a lubricant and one or more silane coupling agents. The sizing composition reduces the volatile organic components associated with chemical treatment of glass and carbon fibers while also eliminating the need to disperse or emulsify the ingredients of the composition.

Abstract: A sizing applicator is provided for applying a coating of sizing composition to glass fibers. The sizing applicator includes a housing and a roll applicator which is rotatably coupled to the housing. The housing has a supply port adapted to receive sizing composition from a sizing supply source, an exit slot and a passageway extending from the supply port to the exit slot. The passageway receives sizing composition from the supply port and delivers the sizing composition to the exit slot such that the sizing composition exits the housing and is received on an outer surface of the roll applicator. The roll applicator is spaced from the housing such that the housing does not substantially contact the sizing composition once it is received on the roll applicator.

Abstract: A heteropolysaccharide--containing glass fiber sizing composition that provides improved application uniformity when applied to hot fibers via a roll coater.

Abstract: Energy efficient apparatus for forming migration free glass fiber packages composed of fibers bearing substantially uniform coatings of size composition. Heated air from around the fiber forming bushing is drawn into a chamber through which the glass fibers pass to cause the water or solvent in the applied size to be evaporated. The flow of heated air through the chamber is regulated so as to obtain substantially uniform size application to the fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a glass fiber package. The apparatus includes a heated bushing for supplying streams of molten glass to be drawn into continuous fibers, a rotatable member adapted to draw the streams into fibers and to wind the fibers into a package, an applicator for applying a size to the fibers, and a drying device including a heated element maintained at a temperature of between about 1000.degree. F. and 1500.degree. F. for contacting and transferring energy in the form of heat to the sized fibers to dry the fibers before they are wound into the package. The heating member is stationary while contacting the sized fibers.

Abstract: A sizing composition for glass is provided. The sizing composition comprises a vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion, a polyvinyl acetate copolymer latex, and a vinyl acrylic copolymer emulsion.

Abstract: An aqueous size composition for glass fibers is disclosed which includes a thermoplastic polymer resin powder, a coupling agent, and fugitive processing aids, such as binders or film formers. The composition is applied to the glass fiber surfaces during the fiber forming process. A fugitive rheology modifier material may be added to the size composition. One embodiment of the composition includes a polyethylene oxide binder material and a polyphenylene sulfide thermoplastic polymer resin.

Abstract: A process for making a composite article having improved mechanical properties such as fatigue life, which process comprises contacting at least one continuous filament with a mixture comprising a resin and a strain relieving polymer.

Abstract: A glass fiber strand impregnated with a liquid crystal polymer and an aqueous slurry composition useful for producing the liquid crystal polymer impregnated glass fiber strand are disclosed. The aqueous slurry composition includes a liquid crystal polymer resin powder and a thickener material. The slurry composition is applied to the glass fiber surfaces during the fiber forming process. Coupling agents, surfactants or lubricants material may optionally be added to the slurry composition. One embodiment of the slurry composition includes a polyethylene oxide binder material and a melt spinnable liquid crystal polyester which is optically anisotropic in the melt phase.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition for glass fibers is provided which contains a polycarbonate precursor material and a water soluble film former or binder. The resulting coated glass fibers have excellent flexibilty with little or no powdering of the coating composition off the fibers.

Abstract: Energy efficient process and apparatus are disclosed for forming glass fiber packages which are free of migration. Air from around the fiber forming bushing is passed beneath the bushing whereby it is heated by bushing heat and the heated air is then drawn into a chamber through which the glass fibers pass in heat transfer contact with the heated air. This heat transfer contact causes the water or solvent in the applied size to be evaporated and results in a migration free package.